Brett Whaley has been appointed as March Town manager for the third time this morning.

Whaley steps back into the Hares hotseat in place of Mel Mattless, whose last game at the helm was a Thurlow Nunn League First Division KO Cup quarter-final defeat against Norwich United Reserves last night.

Mattless had intended to step aside at the end of the season, but club chiefs have taken the opportunity to make a quick appointment by handing the reins to Whaley.

March chairman Phil White said: “We met with Mel at the end of January when he told us he intended to step down at the end of the season.

“We’ve had a chat with a few potential managers and we are delighted to be able to bring Brett back to the club.

“The plan was for Mel to step aside after the cup quarter-final last night and it was obviously a shame for him to go out with a defeat.

“Mel has done a fantastic job for the club on and off the field. He brought stability and built a good group of lads from the local area.

“The club and Brett all feel we both have a bit of unfinished business. He has produced a three-year plan and it was very similar to what we had in mind ourselves.

“We feel we have been under-achieving for a few years and hopefully it is time we can all move forward.”

Whaley first managed March between 2007 and 2009 before returning for another spell from 2011 to 2012. The Hares finished fourth in the First Division during his second stint in charge.

He now inherits a team sitting 16th in the First Division with just six league wins all season.

Whaley has been out of football for three months after resigning as Yaxley manager in November. His first game back is this Saturday when the Hares entertain First Division table-toppers Woodbridge.

Roy Brand, who has served as assistant to Mattless, is staying on board. Long-serving former March player Marc Welcher will also figure in Whaley’s management team.